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UEI’s hardware can be deployed in several hosted and/or standalone configurations. Our systems can operate as I/O slaves under control of a host PC and may also run as fully standalone data loggers or embedded controllers. Alternatively, they can operate as a hybrid, running applications locally, but taking direction from, or sharing data with a host PC on the network.

OPERATING MODES

PowerDNA (Distributed Network Architecture): UEI’s PowerDNA mode comprises hosted systems that support all popular operating systems including Windows, Linux, QNX, VxWorks and more. PowerDNA systems can be programmed with UEI‘s framework (UEIDAQ), which uses a single, simple and universal API that supports all programming languages. Our PowerDNA series chassis act as I/O slaves to a host PC, executing tasks under host commands. This configuration works well in both data acquisition and control applications.

UEI offers extensive drivers and support for Linux and other popular Real-time Operating Systems, including QNX, INtime, and VxWorks. Our drivers are factory developed and supported in house. Though many DAQ firms have ignored the Linux/RTOS market, or relegated their support to unofficial user forums, UEI provides complete drivers for our data acquisition hardware, and in this way, offer our customers factory support. All Linux drivers as well as those for most RTOS are included with the product and are available for download on our web site. There is a small charge for QNX and VxWorks drivers.

UEIPAC (Programmable Automation Controller): UEIPAC is an ideal solution for systems requiring a small, standalone embedded controller or data logger. The PAC runs a standard Linux or VxWorks operating system. Once developed, application code is compiled and downloaded to the UEIPAC. From there the UEIPAC system can run fully standalone, or you may keep the UEIPAC on your network to provide updates to your host. The UEIPAC is also frequently used as a local control node tied to a host PC. In this mode, the UEIPAC executes the local applications as directed by the host. UEI also offers Xenomai extension for Linux on the UEIPAC. The UEIPAC provides remarkable performance, flexibility and power all in a compact chassis.

LIBRARIES

Though most customers consider UEI a “hardware” company, we never underestimate the value of software/programming in our products. Our goal is to provide you with the software/programming support you need, regardless of what language, application or operating system you wish to use. Whether you’re programing in C/C++, VB, any of the .NET languages or in applications such as LabVIEW and MATLAB, our support is unparalleled in the industry.

APPLICATIONS

UEI supports many of today’s popular application packages. We realize that there are a variety of protocols available to communicate with and acquire data, as well as to manage multi-faceted control systems, so we offer the application support necessary for you to be successful. This includes support for Modbus, EPICS, OPC-UA and many of the emerging IoT (Internet of Things) technologies.

Below, please find a breakout of popular OSs, programming languages and applications UEI supports. If you do not seem something listed, please contact uei.support@ametek.com as we most likely support it.

Windows

Windows

UEIDAQ Framework library uses the same API to access any devices from PowerDNA Distributed Ethernet I/O families. Using UEIDAQ Framework library dramatically cuts the amount of code needed to perform data acquisition and control tasks. UEI supports all versions up to the most current Windows 10.

The UEIDAQ Framework provides a set of C++ classes to easily interface your C++ programs with UEI data acquisition devices. The UEIDAQ Framework also comes with an ANSI-C API.

Linux

Linux

UEI offers extensive Linux drivers/support and example code for both Cube and RACK Chassis. These are factory developed and supported drivers. Though many DAQ firms have ignored the Linux market, or relegated their support to unofficial user forums, UEI provides complete drivers for their data-acquisition hardware, including factory support. All Linux drivers are included with the product and are available for download on our web site.

VxWorks

VxWorks

Whether replacing a legacy VME system or designing a new one, your fully COTS UEI system is smaller, more rugged and less expensive than VME or other I/O technologies. Run your VxWorks on your host PC or run standalone on UEI’s Cube or RACKtangle chassis. With over 60 I/O boards UEI’s sure to have the I/O you need and our 10-year availability guarantee ensures long term support while preserving your investment in VxWorks technology.

INtime

INtime

INtime support is included with the standard UEIDAQ Framework Windows software suite. Our INtime driver offers the same API as our Windows driver, making it very easy to convert a standard Windows application using PowerDNA to Real-time application.

QNX

QNX

UEI's support for QNX takes a special form due to that OS's architecture. The QNX SDK includes all the definition files and libraries you need to link into an application. Further, you get startup code as well as example programs with C source code that illustrate both software-clocked and hardware-paced analog inputs. QNX allows applications with root privileges to directly access PCI bus addresses and resources including interrupts. Thus the driver contains no read()/write()/ioctl() routines. We've implemented the PowerDAQ/DNA for QNX data acquisition and control driver as a library to link with user back-end applications (server).

C/C++

C/C++

The UEIDAQ Framework provides a set of C++ classes to easily interface your C++ programs with UEI data acquisition devices. The UEIDAQ framework also comes with an ANSI-C API.

LabVIEW

LabVIEW

LabVIEW is the graphical development environment for creating flexible and scalable test, measurement, and control applications rapidly and at minimal cost. The LabVIEW graphical dataflow language and block diagram approach naturally represent the flow of your data and intuitively map user interface controls to your data, so you can easily view and modify your data or control inputs. The UEIDAQ Framework comes with an extensive library of Virtual Instruments for LabVIEW to easily interface your LabVIEW program with UEI data acquisition devices.

MATLAB

MATLAB

The UEIDAQ Framework supports MATLAB via .NET assemblies to easily interface your MATLAB program with UEI data acquisition devices. It provides a complete set of tools for analog input, analog output, and digital I/O. The toolbox lets you configure your external hardware devices, read data into MATLAB for immediate analysis, and send out data.

Simulink

Simulink

The UEISIM offers Simulink users a new, powerful and flexible I/O target. Models built in Simulink are deployed directly on the UEISIM using Real-Time Workshop. The combination creates a powerful new solution in the creation and tuning of many real-time and non-real-time applications. These include simulation model verification, rapid prototyping, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

C#

C#

The UEIDAQ Framework provides a managed assembly to easily interface your programs written in C#, VB.NET or any other language supported by the .NET framework to UEI data acquisition devices.

Python

Python

UEI's rugged, reliable hardware works with a range of popular programming languages, which now includes Python. This enables faster development, easier debugging and access to Python's growing open-source libraries. Additionally, for added versatility, the Python API works across Windows and Linux networked platforms and on our standalone embedded UEIPAC.

.NET

.NET

The UEIDAQ Framework provides a managed assembly to easily interface your programs written in C#, VB.NET or any other language supported by the .NET framework to UEI data acquisition devices.

VB.NET

VB.NET

The UEIDAQ Framework provides a managed assembly to easily interface your programs written in C#, VB.NET or any other language supported by the .NET framework to UEI data acquisition devices.

ActiveX

ActiveX

The UEIDAQ Framework comes with an ActiveX server to easily interface your ActiveX compatible program (such as programs written with Visual Basic 6, Borland Delphi or Borland C++ builder) with UEI data acquisition devices.

LabWindows/CVI

LabWindows/CVI

The UEIDAQ Framework comes with an ANSI-C API to easily interface your LabWindows/CVI program with UEI data acquisition devices.

Borland Delphi

Borland Delphi

The UEIDAQ Framework supports Borland Delphi through use of the framework’s ActiveX server. The ActiveX interface provides a simple, robust and powerful way to take advantage of UEI’s hardware benefits in this popular programming language. The Framework includes a wide variety of example programs created in Delphi.

Borland C++ Builder

Borland C++ Builder

The UEIDAQ Framework supports Borland C++ Builder through use of the framework’s ActiveX server. The ActiveX interface provides a simple, robust and powerful way to take advantage of UEI’s hardware benefits in this popular programming language. The Framework includes a wide variety of example programs created in C++ Builder.

Modbus

Modbus

The MODBUS messaging protocol was developed by Modicon in 1979 and is used to establish master-slave/client-server communication between intelligent devices. It is a defacto standard, truly open and the most widely used network protocol in the industrial manufacturing environment. UEI has the ability to act as a stand-alone MODBUS server. Watch our Modbus videos here.

OPC UA

OPC UA

UEI supports OPC and OPC-UA applications. OPC Servers are dependent upon the Microsoft operating systems, while OPC-UA is our stand-alone implementation that removes dependency. The application of the OPC standard interface makes possible interoperability between automation/control applications, field systems/devices etc. The UEIDAQ Framework comes with an OPC server to interface to an OPC client while OPC-UA is a stand-alone product. Watch our OPC-UA videos here.

EPICS

EPICS

The Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) is a software environment commonly used to develop distributed control systems for particle accelerators, telescopes and other large experiments. EPICS also provides SCADA capabilities.

IoT

IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a networked system of interconnected physical objects that have the capability of sharing data with each other and also with a cloud service for archiving and analysis. IoT objects must conform to the Internet Protocol Suite to be considered “things” in terms of the IoT. UEI's Linux-based PACs come preinstalled with Eclipse Mosquitto (MQTT) which implements the MQTT machine-to-machine (M2M) protocol. UEI also supports Helix Device Cloud, Amazon AWS IoT, and Microsoft Azure. Available on VxWorks and OPC-UA platforms. Watch UEI's IoT video. Download the IoT Whitepaper.

Simulink

Simulink